/ 27 November 2015

What’s On: November 27 to December 3

Nakahne Toure launches his new EP The Laughing Son at the Bassline on November 27.
Nakahne Toure launches his new EP The Laughing Son at the Bassline on November 27.

MUSIC

The Bassline, Newtown, Johannesburg. November 27, 8pm: Singer Nakhane Touré launches his new EP, The Laughing Son. Tickets R100 at the door. December 4, 8pm: Monique Bingham and Mi Casa play a double bill. Tickets R200. webickets.co.za

The Orbit, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. November 27, 8.30pm: Carlo Mombelli presents guitar-driven music with drummer Tumi Mogorosi and guitarist Keenen Ahrends (R120). November 28, 8.30pm: Trumpeter Marcus Wyatt and the 11-piece Blue Notes Tribute Orkestra Biggish Band (R150). November 29, 6pm: Orbit guitar summit, with Bra Themba Mokoena, Cameron Ward, Billy Monama and Erik Paliani (R150). December 1, 8pm: Bombshelter Beast, featuring Wyatt (R120). December 2, 8pm: The Orbit Funk Band play covers and rearranged renditions of famed numbers (R100). November 25, 8pm: En Fuego, The Orbit’s Afro-Cuban salsa band (R100).

Nirox Sculpture Park, Cradle of Humankind, November 28, 10am. Freshlyground, Nakhane Touré, Steve Newman, Tidalwaves and the Skorokoro Ensemble play at this outdoor gig. Tickets R320 at the gate, R300 on pre-sale. acousticsnow.org

Park Acoustics, Voortrekker Monument, Eeufees Road, Pretoria. On November 28 from 10am, this monthly event features a large number of acts, including BCUC, Shortstraw, The Black Cat Bones, Goldfish, Full Swing, Kyle Cassim, Port Art Live, Haezer, Sideshow, The Moths and Sol Gems. The comedy line-up includes Dave Levinsohn, Oliver Booth and Warren Robertson. Tickets R200 from parkacoustics.co.za or R250 at the gate. 

Old Mutual Music in the Gardens, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Johannesburg, November 28, 3pm. The Music in the Garden series comes to a close for the year with a carols-by-candlelight concert featuring the Alexandra Harmonious Melodies Choir and the Bambanani Brass Band, which will be joined by The Bala Brothers. There will be a collection box for visitors to drop off donations of children’s clothing and toys for the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home. Tickets R50 pre-show; R100 at the gate. Children under 13 free. dogreatthings.co.za 

Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg, November 23, 3pm to 3am. The sixth annual Maftown Heights hip-hop concert features motswako artists such as Khuli Chana, Mo Molemi, Tuks, Fifi Cooper, HHP, Lection, JR, Ginger Trill, KT, Notshi, Towdee Mac, K2, Riky Rick, KO, AKA, Kabelo, L-Tido, N’Veigh, Zakwe, PH Raw X, Anatii, WTF, Aewonwolf and the Wolfpack. Tickets from R150 up. Go to www.ticketpros.co.za for prices and to book.

Kool Out Rooftop, Cornerhouse Building, 77 Commissioner Street, Johannesburg, November 29. Reason launched his album Audio Re-definition at this hip venue. koolout.co.za

Straight No Chaser, 79 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town, November 28, 8.30pm and 10pm. Trumpeter Feya Faku and bassist Herbie Tsoaeli perform originals and standards from their vast repertoire, alongside drummer Claude Cozens and pianist Andre Peterson. Tickets R100 a set or R160 for both sets.
Future Nostalgia, December 1, 7pm. Surprise live act alongside guest selectors Warrick Sony and Futurist. Tickets R30.

Farmhouse Rocks, Cape Farm-house, November 28, 3pm. The Rudimentals play this charming countryside venue. Presale tickets R70; R80 at the door; R50 for scholars.

The Rage Festival, Ballito and Umhlanga beachfronts, KwaZulu-Natal, until December 5. Features international DJs Paris Blohm and Julian Jordan and local acts such as Goldfish and DJ Fresh. Regular (R1400) and Reunion (R1150) are available on ragefestival.co.za

FINE ART

Schema, Stevenson Gallery, Cape Town, until January 16. Schema is a group show featuring Zander Blom, Wim Botha, Edson Chagas, Ian Grose, Samson Kambalu, Mawande Ka Zenzile, Serge Alain Nitegeka,  Deborah Poynton, Robin Rhode, Hans Richter, Viviane Sassen and Guy Tillim. www.stevenson.info

The Sanlam Portrait Award Top 40, Sanlam Art Lounge, Alice Lane, Sandton, December 2 to January 29. Just launched, this “art lounge” is “the first corporate art gallery in the Sandton central business district to open its doors to the public”. sanlamportraitaward.co.za

Shooting Stars, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town, December 1 to January 31 2016. Shooting Stars explores the relationship between photography and music through documentary by gig photographers including Pierre Rommelaere, Vetman van der Naam, Hylton Boucher, Pierre Crocquet, Tim Hopwood and Roger Ballen.erdmanncontemporary.co.za

Hot off the Press, Absa Galley, Absa Towers North, 161 Main Road, Johannesburg, November 29 to January 29 2016. New work from Artist Proof Studios alumni and students. 

Studio Collab Weekend, Yiull Damaso Art Studio, Johannesburg, November 27 to 29. Showcases the work of artists Yiull Damaso, photographer Sean Brand, Heino Schmitt (functional art) and Queen Magpie (jewellery). Visit Yiull Atistic Services on Facebook. 

Ornament, St Lorient Fashion and Art Gallery, Brooklyn, Pretoria.Until December 13. Appropriately for the venue, painter André Naude “investigates traditional and contemporary variations” on the theme of ornament and adornment, “using mixed media paints on various surfaces”  to reference “textiles, beadwork and impasto paint”.  On Saturday November 28, you can attend a tea party with the artist from 11am —  email [email protected] to RSVP by November 28. www.stlorient.co.za

New Voices IV, Lizamore & Associates, 155 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, Johannesburg. Two concurrent group shows “by emerging artists, curated by emerging curators” run from November 29 to January 29 2016. Lunga Khumalo curates Freedom to Create, Freedom to Inspire and Tammy Langtry curates Spatial Relations. More than 20 artists are represented. www.lizamore.co.za

Somewhere in Africa, Elizabeth Gordon Gallery, Durban. Until December 20. Festive-season group show. elizabethgordon.co.za

Phansi Goes Phezulu, Phansi Museum, Durban, December 5 to December 18. A group show that functions as the museum’s book (Ukukulisa), calendar and exhibition programme launch. phansi.com

THEATRE

Naked Knitting and Other Contradictory Acts, POPArt Theatre, Maboneng, Johannesburg, November 27 to 29, 3.30pm and 8pm. A revue-style comedy show about South African life. Stars Daniel Geddes and Mark Tatham. Directed by multi-award-winning Greg Homann. No under 13. Tickets R100. popartcentre.co.za 

Harry and the Uncles, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg, November 28, 8pm. This comedy show returns following its successful 2013 and 2014 runs. What has Harry Mama been up to since he was imprisoned for selling fake vegetables? Tickets R180. goldreefcity.co.za

Madiba: The African Opera, South African State Theatre, Pretoria, November 27 and 29, December 2, 8pm. Biographical opera about the life of Nelson Mandela; it also touches on the history of the Thembu royal family. Music by Sibusiso Njeza. statetheatre.co.za

DANCE

Private Presley: A Salute to the King, Baxter Theatre, Cape Town, November 27 to 28, 3pm and 8pm. From the makers of Queen at the Ballet. Bovim Ballet brings together ballet and Elvis Presley’s music. Tickets R150 to R285. baxter.co.za

Cultures Connect, Artscape Centre, Cape Town, November 28, 7pm. Five companies, five countries — US, Finland, India, Mozambique and South Africa. Part of the Cape Town International Dance Festival Town and Township. On November 29 at Artscape: Future Stage, showcasing Cape Town’s upcoming talent. November 30: free outdoor performances. artscape.co.za

EVENT

Africa Trans Visibility Day, Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, December 5, 10am to 6pm. On the first such day of its kind, various speakers, debates, film screenings and entertainments will highlight transgender rights and increase awareness of trans health and legal issues, share stories, empower the trans community and help to eradicate transphobia. www.iranti-org.co.za